Aircraft traffic pattern and runway computer



Aug. 13, 1963 H. G. sHAPlRo AIRCRAFT TRAFFIC PATTERN AND RUNWAY.COMPUTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fil-ed Dec.

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ug; 1.3,1 1963 v H. G, sHAPlRo 3;,10036021 AIRCRAFT TRAFFIC PATTERN ANDRUNwAY COMPUTER,

Filed' new 21 1960 s sheets-sheet:

PATTER N 4 INVENTo Heem/v G. SMP/Neo BY 'Y .l M

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AIRCRAFT TRAFFIC PATTERN AND RUNWAY COMPUTER Filed Dec. 2l, 1960 5Sheets-,Sheet 3 52 54. 44 56 56 9 H45 zzZSe/fokf FM4/V P/Z ,n G 5 BYrrawfxs.

' approach leg appears.

RUNWAY The present inventionrv :generally relates rto alliandmanipulated computer for use by a pilot as an aircraft approaches anairport, and it is the primary object of the invention to provide thepilot Iwith helpful information that will lassist him in making a properlanding. v Y An object of the present invention is to provide a computerthat will give a visual relationship between the heading of his aircraftyand ofthe standard left hand and right hand traffic patterns headings.

Another object 4ofthe invention is to provide a computer for affordingthe pilot/a visual relationship between the path of flight of hisaircraft and theposition of the runway on which he has been'instructedto land by the control tower. 4 Another important object of the presentinvention is to provide -a computer of the character described that willimmediately indicate the headings of the traiiic pattern f-or assignedlanding runway, 'and which also is easy to manipulate, `easy'tounderstand and quiterinexpensive to manufacture. K v.

A further object of the compu-ter of this invention is to provide avisual relationship of the airplane to `the p take-olf runway while onthe ground.

A These together with other `objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referenceybeing had to the accompanying drawings forming la part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and inwhich:

FIGURE l is a plan view of the computer with portions thereof brokenaway;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 2 2 of FIG. l and illustrating therelationship of the component parts of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view-,similar to FIG. l but illustrating the otherside thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of. a modified lform of the computer; and

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 5 5 of FIG. 4.

Referring now vspecifically to the drawings,l .the computer of thepresent invention includes a disc 4l) which is ya circular `disc whichhasj a sketchgof a left hand traiiic pattern 1 anda sketchy of a runway2. The sketch of the traffic pattern shows the pilot `the `four legs(compass headings)` that he must follow before landing his United StatesPatent O plane on the runwayy 2; namely, entrance leg 3,' ldownwind leg4, base ,legi and final approach leg 6.

Arrows 7 show you the direction of flight. There are tive slots. In thefirst slot S is where ther entrance leg heading into the pattern appearswhen the `calculator is assembled. The next slot 9 is where the downwindleg heading appears. The next slot 10 is where the base leg headingappears. The next slot 11 is where the linal The last and outermost slotv12 is where runway heading is placed Whentower provides 'number `oflanding runway. The purpose of slot 12 is to f permity more rapidlocation of the runway heading. When the runway heading is placed inslot .12, it simultaneously appears on runway slot l11'.

The disc 42 vhas live concentric circles of 36 calibrations on each. Theinnermost and/smallest circle 13 lddl Patented Aug. 13, 1963 headingsfor the final approach leg. The next circle k contains headingsfor thebase leg; the next circle 16 contains headings for the 45 degreeentrance leg and the outside 17 contains headings for the compassheading ofthe airplane .and the heading of the landing runway.

Disc 42 uses hot-h sides. Side A has headings for a standard left handtrafc pattern. Side B has headings for a standard right hand .trafficpattern.

Since runway headings `are given to the closest l() degrees there are'only 36 runway headings. Therefore, there are 36 traiiic patterns -forleft hand tratlic and 36 headings for right hand tratlic patterns, or atotal of 72 tratiic patterns, the maximum number possible.

Plate 44 is the part of the invention which is held in the pilots hand.It has a picture of :an airplane 18 to denote the airplane the pilot isflying. When attached, the outer disc 42. is turned to the compassheading :of the airplane 18 using the nose of the plane 18 as themarker. Plate 44 is held stationary while disc 42 is turned. Plate 44 istransparent plastic except for the airplane. There is a hole for thegrommet 19. The reason for transparent plastic is to eliminate two discsfor disc 42 when one disc printed on both sides will suflice. v

The remaining circular disc 46 has a sketch of a right hand 1 trafficpattern and a sketch of a runway 2.. The `sketch of the traflic patternshows the pilot the four legs (compass headings) that he must followhefore landing his plane on the runway, namely; entrance leg 3, downwindleg 4, base leg 5, .and iinal approach 6.

Arrows 7 show the direction of Hight. There are Ilive slots. The rstslot 8 is where the entrance heading into the pattern appears when thecalculator is put together. The next slot 9 is where the downwindheading appears. The next slot 10 is where the base leg appears. Thenext,` slot 11 is Where the final `approach leg heading (same as runwayheading) appears.

The last and outermost slot l2 is where runway heading is placed whentower provides number lof landing runway. The purpose of 12 is topermit'rnore rapid location of the runway heading on disc 42 since allheadings fare visible on 17 of disc 42. When the runway heading isplaced in :slot 12 it simultaneously appears on runway slot 11.

'This construction quickly provides data needed by aircraft pilots whenentering an airport zone for a landing, such as, a visual relationshipof the planes heading with the heading of the runway on which he isinstructed to land. Of the several runways in different directions, theone parallel to the runway on the'invention will be the vcorrect landingrunway, the .traffic pattern with .the exact heading to fly on each legalso heing clearly indicated. Y Y t Another object of this invention isto provide taxi directions to `the take-off runway.

Another object is to provide the 'above data without mistakes that occurwhen such calculations are made by mental arithmetic.

Another object is ,to provide .automatic data which l Another object isto provide in two seconds information that would otherwise take minutes.

Another object is to provide this information before the pilot entersthe hazardous trac zone and before he is mentally and physically busywith the airplane mechanical preparations for landing.

This device can be constructed of various materials capable of beingprinted, such as plastic, aluminum or cardboard. 'It can be madepocket-size or any other size desired. The pocket size is designed forone-hand operation. The weight need be but 2 ounces.

When approacln'ng an airport for a landing the pilot contacts' thecontrolftower by radioland asks for landing instructions. The toweranswers by giving him the direction of the landing runway and otherdata. Before calling the tower the pilot sets his planes compass headingon the computer, while holding plate 44 in his hand he turns disc 42 tohis planes heading. When the tower gives the pilot the landing runwaythe pilot sets this on the computer by revolving disc 40 or 46 so thatrunway heading also from circle 17 on disc 42 appears in slot 12.

By the two turns of the computer mentioned this invention providesimmediate reference to the proper runway and all ofthe headings to flyin the traffic pattern.

For example: (using a left hand traffic pattern which is the case 90% ofthe time).

T he pilot comes in sight of the airport. He placesthe 'compass headinghe is liying, 210 degrees, on his computer. This is done by 'turningouter wheel, circle 17 of disc 42 to 210 degrees opposite airplane 18 ofplate 44. The pilot then calls `for landing instructions and is told toyland on runway 120 degrees (called runway 12 in aviation parlance-lastzero omitted).

The pilot revolves disc 40 so that 120 degrees appear in slot 12. Thesame 120 degrees appears simultaneously in the picture of the runwayslot 11. Also simultaneously all of the four traffic headings appear intheir slots.

ln the example given, the number appearing in slot 8 vwould be 255degrees; in slot 9, 300 degrees; in slot 10,

210 degrees, and in slot 11, 120 degrees.

Looking at the airplane 18 you can see the angle of the 'path of of theairplane in relation to runway 2. In this manner you can pick outvisually the landing runway on the ground. You look for the runwayintersected by your planes heading at the angle shown on the runwayplanerelationship on this computer.4

IIn the example given the plane intersects the runway at aperpendiculary angle. Therefore, the runway on the ground will do thesame Iand thus can be easily sighted. Since most busy airports haveseveral runways heading in various directionsit becomes a problemdetermining the correct one on which to land. Many pilots fly over theairport and read the runway headings painted on the runways. This `isnot a safe procedure since this area is where traiiic is heaviest, andthis procedure is wasteful vfirst sets compass heading on disc 42'opposite airplane 18 on the computer. El." he pilot turns disc 40 or 46(left pattern or right pattern) to set runway 2 parallel to actualrunway -andthen liies the headings of the traffic pattern as they appearon the computer. p

By the use of this invention the pilot has a record `of 'i the fourtraflic headings he must fly to comply with airport safety regulations.1f the pilot were to figure his headings by mental arithmetic therewould be several possible hazards, namely: errors in mathematics,divided concentration between mental arithmetic and manual control ofthe airplane, the possibility of forgetting the figures, and the muchgreater time needed to figure.

To facilitate handling and rotation, disc 42 is provided with peripheralnotches 48 forming serrations. Also,

plate 44 is provided with apertures 50 for permanent screw mounting onthe instrument panel of the airplane for the occasional pilot who willprefer this method to I carrying the computer in his pocket. v

Each disc 40 and 46 may Vhave an annular ring 52 of rubber or similarmaterial or indentations in the plastic or aluminum discs for aiding inmanipulating the discs.

The structure illustrated in P IIGS. 4 and Sis substantially the sameexcept that the edge of disc 42 is smooth and each surface has'anannular ring 54 of sandpaper or the like attached thereto. The outersurface of discs 40 and 46 are also provided with an annular ring 56 ofsandpaper or the like forassisting in the manipulation. of the device. Aplurality of spaced pins 56 are disposed on discs 40 and 46 and projecttherefrom. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to one skilled in the art,`V it is i Y notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, 1

all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, fallingwithin the scope of the invention as claimed. l claim:

1. A computer for use by pilots comprising a first cir-V cular disc, aplurality of spaced concentric rows of indicia on the surface of saiddisc, an `outermost row of indicia being disposed adjacent the marginaledge of said first disc, a second disc mounted in roverlying relation tothe surface of said first circular disc and having a diameter less thanthe diameter of the cincular disc, thereby revealing the major'portionof the outermost row of indicia, said second disc including anv aircrafttraffic pattern thereon including the legs of the trafiic pattern,direction g i arrows and a simulated runway, said second disc furtherincluding a projection extending radially outwardly froml the marginaledge thereof in overlying relation toa p0rtion of the outermost row ofindicia on said first disc, portions of said projection defining a slottherein to reveal certain of the underlying indicia in the outermost rowthereof, other portions of said second disc dening certain of the,indicia on said first disc in the outermost y row to provide a visual`relationship of an aircraft to the legs of the traflic pattern andrunway on said second disc.

2. The structure as defined -in claim 1 wherein said first and seconddiscs connected to said plate are rotatably interconnected at the4center thereof, said plate having a width less than the diameter of thediscs and being transparent whereby the indicia may be viewedtherethrough. 3. The structure as defined in claim l wherein said firstcircular disc is provided with a serrated peripheral edge to facilitatemoving the same, and the outer surface of said second disc includes aring of resilient material adjacent the periphery thereof.

4. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the surface of Ysaidfirst circular disc andthe outer surface of said second disc is providedwith au Iannular `area of friction increasing material. l

5. A icomputer for providing flight path magnetic landing courses foraircraft and the like comprising: a pair of concentrically rotatableopaque discs, the first disc includingz first 360 scale meansconcentrically disposed thereon for indicating runways, a yplurality ofadditional concentric 360 scale means for indicating courses for aplurality of cooperatively positioned windows through said second discalong said lines and corresponding to said additional scale means toprovide a view of those portions of said additional scale meansdesignating land` Y References Cited theV tile offthis patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS `746,924 Bgrsm Jan.5, 1904 Y 6 Johnston Sept. 21, 1926Davis Feb. 9, 1932 `Saunders Sept, 7, 1943 Strate Mar. 9, 1948 Dresher.Apr. 24,1951 Thalman Dec. 20, 1955 Mudge Aug. 25, 1959 4leterkin Sept.20, 1960 Bannister Aug. 15, 1961

5. A COMPUTER FOR PROVIDING FLIGHT PATH MAGNETIC LANDING COURSES FORAIRCRAFT AND THE LIKE COMPRISING: A PAIR OF CONCENTRICALLY ROTATABLEOPAQUE DISCS, THE FIRST DISC INCLUDING: FIRST 360* SCALE MEANSCONCENTRICALLY DISPOSED THEREON FOR INDICATING RUNWAYS, A PLURALITY OFADDITIONAL CONCENTRIC 360* SCALE MEANS FOR INDICATING COURSES FOR ANAIRCRAFT TO BE FLOWN IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING; THE SECOND DISCINCLUDING ALIGNMENT INDICIA, LINES ON SAID SECOND DISC DESIGNATINGFLIGHT PATH LANDING COURSE LEGS, AND A PLURALITY OF COOPERATIVELYPOSITIONED WINDOWS THROUGH SAID SECOND DISC ALONG SAID LINES ANDCORRESPONDING TO SAID ADDITIONAL SCALE MEANS TO PROVIDE A VIEW OF THOSEPORTIONS OF SAID ADDITIONAL SCALE MEANS DESIGNATING LANDING PATTERNCOURSES FOR THE AIRCRAFT TO BE FLOWN FOR LANDING THE AIRCRAFT ON THESELECTED RUNWAY ON SAID FIRST SCALE MEANS ALIGNED WITH SAID ALIGNMENTINDICIA.